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16 arrested in Greenpeace protest at Arden power plant

Greenpeace opposes use of coal for generation of electricity at Progress Energy facility

Greenpeace protestors unfurl a banner Tuesday at the Progress Energy plant in Arden

PATRICK SULLIVAN/ TIMES-NEWS

By MARK SCHULMANTimes-News Staff Writer

Published: Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, February 13, 2012 at 12:30 p.m.

ARDEN — Several Greenpeace protesters were arrested Monday after they broke into Progress Energy's Asheville plant on Lake Julian, latching themselves to equipment and even scaling a 400-foot smokestack.

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The organization wanted to send a message to Progress Energy that it's past time the energy company stopped using coal because it's dangerous to the community and environment, according to Greenpeace officials.

Shortly after 6 a.m., 16 protestors entered the plant and secured themselves to several pieces of equipment including a coal loader and conveyor belts, Greenpeace organizers said. A handful of activists scaled a non-operating 400-foot smokestack and unfurled a banner that read “Duke Energy: The climate needs real Progress.”

The retired smokestack hasn't been in use for years, Progress Energy officials said.

All 16 protestors were arrested, said Lt. Randy Sorrells, public information officer for the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office. The protestors are safe and surrendered themselves peacefully, he added.

Police said the protesters are charged with misdemeanor trespassing and as the investigation continues, further charges are possible. The arrests were a coordinated effort between the area's law enforcement agencies, fire departments and emergency management officials.

“The use of coal is dangerous from the cradle to the grave,” said Ruthie Morrison, Greenpeace spokesperson. She added that mountaintop removal destroys the landscape and what is left of the extracted coals runs into nearby waterways, including the French Broad River.

Progress Energy's current merger bid with Duke Energy is also a concern for the activists.

“This plant runs on destroyed mountains, it spews out air pollution, it causes climate change and it poisons the water and the earth. If Duke merges with Progress, Duke and Progress will have a responsibility to the people of North Carolina to move to clean energy,” Greenpeace climate campaigner and activist Robert Gardner said in a news release.

However, Progress Energy officials said they have invested about a half-billion dollars in emissions-reducing equipment and keeping the plant safe. The plant serves 160,000 customers.

“The process we use in mining to generate electricity to the storage of the product is in compliance with state and federal regulations,” said Mike Hughes, Progress Energy spokesperson.

“The plant was able to continue operations and provide reliable electricity to our customers," Garry Whisnant, Asheville plant manager, said in a news release. "I'm especially pleased that this event concluded without any injuries. The Asheville Plant remains an important part of providing reliable and affordable electricity to our customers.”

<p>ARDEN — Several Greenpeace protesters were arrested Monday after they broke into Progress Energy's Asheville plant on Lake Julian, latching themselves to equipment and even scaling a 400-foot smokestack. </p><p>The organization wanted to send a message to Progress Energy that it's past time the energy company stopped using coal because it's dangerous to the community and environment, according to Greenpeace officials.</p><p>Shortly after 6 a.m., 16 protestors entered the plant and secured themselves to several pieces of equipment including a coal loader and conveyor belts, Greenpeace organizers said. A handful of activists scaled a non-operating 400-foot smokestack and unfurled a banner that read “Duke Energy: The climate needs real Progress.”</p><p>The retired smokestack hasn't been in use for years, Progress Energy officials said.</p><p>All 16 protestors were arrested, said Lt. Randy Sorrells, public information officer for the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office. The protestors are safe and surrendered themselves peacefully, he added. </p><p>Police said the protesters are charged with misdemeanor trespassing and as the investigation continues, further charges are possible. The arrests were a coordinated effort between the area's law enforcement agencies, fire departments and emergency management officials.</p><p>“The use of coal is dangerous from the cradle to the grave,” said Ruthie Morrison, Greenpeace spokesperson. She added that mountaintop removal destroys the landscape and what is left of the extracted coals runs into nearby waterways, including the French Broad River. </p><p>Progress Energy's current merger bid with Duke Energy is also a concern for the activists.</p><p>“This plant runs on destroyed mountains, it spews out air pollution, it causes climate change and it poisons the water and the earth. If Duke merges with Progress, Duke and Progress will have a responsibility to the people of North Carolina to move to clean energy,” Greenpeace climate campaigner and activist Robert Gardner said in a news release.</p><p>However, Progress Energy officials said they have invested about a half-billion dollars in emissions-reducing equipment and keeping the plant safe. The plant serves 160,000 customers.</p><p>“The process we use in mining to generate electricity to the storage of the product is in compliance with state and federal regulations,” said Mike Hughes, Progress Energy spokesperson.</p><p>“The plant was able to continue operations and provide reliable electricity to our customers," Garry Whisnant, Asheville plant manager, said in a news release. "I'm especially pleased that this event concluded without any injuries. The Asheville Plant remains an important part of providing reliable and affordable electricity to our customers.”</p><p>Reach Schulman at 828-694-7890 or mark.schulman@blueridgenow.com.</p>